Remedy for Excessive Gas

Gas created by the body, surprisingly is odorless and consists of carbon dioxide, nitrogen, hydrogen, oxygen and at certain times methane. The repulsive smell when released is due to the action of the bacteria that is present in the large intestine which releases tiny amounts of sulfuric gases. Gas created in the digestive area which is the small intestine, esophagus, stomach and large intestines can be result mainly from two reasons which are, swallowing of air or bacteria breaking down the undigested foods in the large intestine.

Aerophagia or air swallowing is one of the most known causes of gas. Although everyone swallows gas in small amounts, eating/drinking rapidly, gum chewing, wearing loose dentures or smoking, cause people to breathe in excess air through the mouth, than others. The stomach releases the trapped gases in the form of belching or burping. The remaining gases travel to the small intestine, and is absorbed partially and then moved into the large intestine to be released by the rectum. At certain times the body is unable to absorb as also to digest some carbohydrates within the small intestine. This is because of the absence of or a shortage of particular enzymes that help in digestion. The undigested food is passed into the large intestine, where it is broken down by harmless bacteria into hydrogen, carbon dioxide and sometimes methane that eventually gets passed out through the anus. Excess gas can also be due to antibiotics, laxatives, constipation, food intolerances and artificial additives.

Chronic gas and bloating has been associated with gastrointestinal disorders. Doctors think that people with GI disorders may be insensitive to pain and normal amounts of gas in the stomach. Irritable Bowel Syndrome is one such intestinal disorder to cause this condition. It is a chronic disorder of the large intestine which causes food to either pass too slowly or too fast through it. Home remedies for IBS include making dietary changes, like avoiding caffeinated and aerated drinks. There are certain foods that help trigger IBS which are wheat, barley rye, dairy products and chocolates, which should be avoided. Apart from these, meal timing and meal portions also pay a role in stimulating IBS, so maintain regular meal habits and eat small but frequent meals. These methods can help to relieve chronic gas.

Some symptoms of gas and bloating are voluntary and involuntary passing of gases either as flatulence and/or belches, a knotted feeling in the stomach, sharp jabbing pains in the abdomen, and swelling and tightness in the stomach.

So how do you get rid of chronic gas and bloating? Here are some chronic gas remedies that can help are:

Alter your eating habits. Eating your food too fast, not chewing it thoroughly and gulping it down can lead to gas.
Avoid hard candy, chewing gum and drinking through a straw as this makes you swallow more air than normal, leading to gas being trapped in the stomach.
Avoid eating too much when you are stressed, upset or anxious as this can interfere with digestion.
Keep away from smoking as it makes you swallow more air than usual.
Exercise regularly as it helps in moving the gas through the digestive tract.
Consuming too much of dairy products is not good. People who are lactose or gluten intolerant are more prone to gas than others.
Avoid high fiber foods like sprouts, beans, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, asparagus, peaches, pears, apples, artichokes, whole-wheat bread, muffins, bran cereals, milk, ice-cream, cream, beer and other carbonated drinks.
Cut back on fatty and fried foods as they delay stomach emptying and make you feel full, which results in bloating.

Consult a doctor if gas is accompanied by chest pain, fever, bloody stools, weight loss, vomiting and nausea, and/or prolong severe recurrent stomach pain.

Reference

http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/gas/